SAAB "Super Inca" - the 5.5" was "nut style"
and the 6" "bolt style" - some people love these, but
most folks hate them. I had them on my 1984
900t and I thought they looked fine. The EPC lists these as "Sports
Package" Wheels for MY 1990.

SAAB 99 & 900 EMS Soccerball - Standard EMS wheel - Very strong.
Looks like the Sonett wheel, but is 4-hole. Since it's narrow, it's
good for ice racing or snow tires for your 900. Factory installed on
99 EMS & 900 EMS up to 1980. There is also a GLE variant that has
gold paint instead of black. Factory installed on 99 GLE & 900 GLE
up to 1980.

SAAB "Cross Spoke" Wheels - came on late 9000 models, especially
the CD. A special version with a Griffin Head hubcap came on the Griffin
Edition. Similar, but not quite the same as the original Cross
Spoke. Silver-painted light-alloy with clear coat. Center cap and
special tool required to remove center cap, both sold separately.

Note on Wheel Modifications -
these *only* need to be done on early Soccerball/EMS wheels to fit mid
1978 & later 99s & 900s. All other wheels will bolt up to any 99 & 900.
Centering may be an issue with some, and the center caps (see next item)
- 900 alloy wheels after the Inca to 1987 may not properly fit the front
of the 99 & 900 up through 1980 (possibly later on the 99). The wheel
bolts up fine, however, the nut that holds the hub and CV together may
protrude far enough to prevent mounting of the center cap. The only solution
is to convert to 1981 or later 900 front spindles (hub, steering knuckle,
wheel bearing, CV). Rear axle fit is fine. [Again, Thanks to Larry West!]

Note on Nuts and Bolts: Different nuts & bolts may be required
for older wheels. Incas, Soccerballs, TRX & Shelby wheels use a flat-seat
(shouldered) nut. All later Alloy wheels for the C900 use conical-seat
nuts. The proper nuts must be used with the wheels. Also, there were,
for a time, two different bolts for the later wheels. The short bolts
for the steel wheels must not be used with Alloys. Long bolts can be
used on either steel or alloy wheels.

Pre-1988, SAAB used lugs and nuts for the 900/99 with a lug pattern
4x114.3mm, or 4x4.5", 71mm centerbore
The 9000 always used a bolt system with a lug pattern of 4x108mm, or
4x4.25"
Post-1987 [1988 model year], the 900 used the 9000 hubs/brakes with
bolts
NG900, 9^3, 9^5 are all 5x110mm

9000 wheels will bolt right up to a post-1987 900 - the clearance is
correct as well. That fact, combined with the better brakes, is why
many people put 1988+ hubs on their early 900's.

[Again, Thanks to Larry West!]

Note on Insertion Depth (ET): ET = Einpre▀tiefe or "Insertion
Depth" in German - SAAB decreased the offset as the rim got wider in
order to maintain the same backset, as in this quick chart:

Width

Offset

ET#

Notes

5.0"

45mm

ET45

Early 99 rims

5.5"

40mm

ET40

Stock 99/900 rims

6"

33mm

ET33

Stock 9000 rims

6.5"

27mm

ET27

6.5Jx16 Aero and Super-Aero Rims

A great source for SAAB wheels is Ronal
- www.ronalusa.com . Ronal made many of the original SAAB
wheels and still makes compatible ones for Classic SAABs as well
as for NG 900's, 9-3's and 9-5's. They offer 14-17" wheels even
for older SAABs. See their wheel selections on their web site,
INDEX of CARS section, Saab--older 4 lug...or go to Ford Focus
for most current wheel styles and sizes. These same wheels and
sizes, in different offsets are available for older Saabs. [thanks
to Gary Allison, General
Manager, Ronal USA]. Pricing is available in the "Internet
Pricing" section

The Mutter-Companie is in Germany... http://www.ronal.de/
There's a nice visual catalog there as well.

Some Sources for Used or NOS SAAB Wheels:

Sports Car Service often have NOS stuff: www.sportscarservice.com
Folks have reported good experiences with getting things like center
caps, etc., AND they're starting a new SAAB-oriented wheel service,
Viking Wheel
Service. They sell reconditioned Saab wheels, repair and powdercoat
all types of wheels. For more information please call Wally
Eriksson at +302-764-4041 in Delaware, 866-392-5569 Toll Free (US).

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test track. A tire graded 200 would wear
twice as long on the government test course under specified test
conditions as one graded 100. It is wrong to link treadwear grades
with your projected tire mileage. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may
vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. They
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete.
Temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These
represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
For both Traction and Temperature, A = Best, B = Intermediate
and C = Acceptable

More Tire Trivia - R is for Radial!

A "B" in place of the "R" would mean the tire is of belted bias
construction. A "D" in place of the "R" means diagonal bias construction.
P=Passenger Car, as in "P185". LT=Light Truck, as in
"LT235"

Do you know of a site, image or info that should [or
shouldn't] be here? Or the provenance of something that's not properly
credited? If any image is yours and you don't want it up here, just let me
know! Email me!